Former leading New Zealand publisher and bookseller, and widely experienced judge of both the Commonwealth Writers Prize and the Montana New Zealand Book Awards, talks about what he is currently reading, what impresses him and what doesn't, along with chat about the international English language book scene, and links to sites of interest to booklovers.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Drop Salman Rushdie supporters, Jaipur literary festival told

Muslim clerics want those who read out portions of the
Satanic Verses at last year's event to be barred from appearing

A group of conservative
Muslim clerics in India have called on the
organisers of the annual Jaipur literary festival to drop speakers who were
involved in a demonstration of support for Salman Rushdie at last
year's event before the opening later this week.

Last January an appearance by Rushdie, 65, at the Jaipur literary festival
was cancelled after protests from local Islamic groups and threats from some
activists. Acting without the sanction of organisers, four authors at the event
read portions of the Satanic Verses, the 1988 book that is still banned in
India, in support of Rushdie.A number of legal complaints alleging incitement to racial hatred and other
offences were subsequently lodged in Indian courts. The incident provoked fears
for free speech in India and criticism of the government.Full article